Feds warn NJ nuclear plant operator over firing

LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Federal regulators are worried a security manager’s firing at a large New Jersey nuclear plant could deter employees and contractors from questioning safety.

A jury last month concluded the 2009 firing was in retaliation for the manager’s plan to tell the NRC about his safety concerns at the Salem and Hope Creek nuclear plants. The adjoining plants are the second-largest nuclear generating facility in the U.S.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission sent a letter to plant operator PSE&G on Friday asking it to detail what actions it is taking to ensure the firing doesn’t have a chilling effect on other would-be whistleblowers.

PSE&G was not part of the court case because the security manager worked for a private contractor. But the NRC says PSE&G is responsible for the actions of contractors.